APC expects more women interest in Ebonyi LG polls

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi says it is expecting more women to indicate interest in contesting the upcoming Local Government Area (LGA) elections in the state.

The State APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, said this on Wednesday in Abakaliki while reacting to the seeming low number of women who obtained the party’s nomination form for the election.

Okoro-Emegha said it was untrue that only two women obtained the form on the party’s platform, adding that the actual number would be determined after the deadline for purchase of forms.

“We are adherents of women participation in governance particularly in contest for elective positions.

“The party believes in the 30 per cent inclusiveness for women and it is stipulated in its guidelines.

“You will discover that many women purchased forms when the final list is published after the deadline on Thursday,” he said.

The chairman said the party had outlined measures to encourage women’s participation in the process and urge them to utilise such opportunities.

“We have offered the expression of interest form freely to them among other measures as forms of encouragement.

“Any woman who then obtains the expression of interest and nomination forms is courageous and should be applauded,” he said.

He said the party threw the process open and urged aspirants that would not be favoured at the primaries to wait for their turn.

“We are consulting as a family and urging our members to realise that God’s time is the best.

“Anybody who however feels that he has done well to earn the people’s support can contest in another party,” he said.

Mrs Peace Agwu, who obtained forms to contest the chairmanship position of Ishielu LGA, thanked the people for their support and encouragement.

“God makes things perfect and he will make the road clear for me.

“When I emerge victorious by God’s grace, I will study the environment and see areas to sustain and improve upon,” she said.

The party pegged the expression of interest form at N5million and N20million for the nomination form totaling N25million.